Kosher Section at Northeast Philly ShopRite Reopens

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The "Kosher on the Boulevard" at the ShopRite in Northeast Philadelphia reopened Thursday, almost two weeks after it was closed by its kosher authority.

Neither the store management nor Community Kashrus of Greater Philadelphia, which supervises the store, provided an explanation as to why the kosher deli and bakery were originally closed. Rabbis and others in the Orthodox community said the mashgiach discovered something non-kosher in the preparation area behind the kosher deli.

A store employee only said that it was "closed closed until further notice. Supervisional procedures are being reviewed.”

After the store sent an email to customers informing them of the reopening, the kosher supervisor and the store management did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Even though the department was closed for less than two weeks — it closed before the start of Shabbat on July 18 — that void caused some angst in the kosher community. Over the last 10 years, the number of kosher butcher shops in the Northeast has dwindled, with Simon’s Kosher and Glendale Kosher Meats & Poultry now the only butchers in the area still open.

The department reopened at 9 a.m. Thursday and will be fully operational by Aug. 3, according to the email sent by the store.